Nalanda University's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Beginning with some historical tidbits, Nalanda University was founded in the 5th century CE by the Gupta king Kumar Gupta. During its heyday, the university held over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. Its reputation drew students from various corners of Asia, hailing from China, Persia, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Greater India.

Presently situated in Rajgir, Nalanda, Nalanda University again embarked on its inaugural academic session on September 1, 2014, enrolling 15 students, out of whom 5 were women. The university officially commenced operations at its main campus in Rajgir in January 2020. In terms of infrastructure, the campus boasts an array of amenities like libraries, laboratories, classrooms, hostels, dining halls, and sports facilities.

Course-wise, the university offers 23 programmes in various disciplines, including World Literature, Ecology and Environmental Studies, Historical Studies, Economics, and Computer Science, among others. 

Students believe that the establishment of the new campus is a noteworthy accomplishment in the revival of Nalanda University. Let’s find out what more the students have to say in detail!

Nalanda University Ranking

NIRF Ranking: Not a Participating Member!

Our Take:
As the university is currently under construction, it has not taken part in the NIRF Ranking 2023. Given its legacy, we can expect the university to be one' of the top universities in India within a few years.

Other Achievements:

Our Take:

Considering its effort to boost cross-cultural understanding and build an eco-friendly and sustainable campus, it is evident that the university has received much-needed laurels. 

Nalanda University Academia and Batch Size

Nalanda University adopted the cafeteria model in August 2018, where students are provided with customised options to choose from according to their areas of interest. Students have the option to choose courses as Credit, Audit or Extra Credit. Students are evaluated in the following manner:

Here is a list of some of the popular Nalanda University courses:

Our Take:

Students have voiced that currently postgraduate, doctoral, and short-term courses are offered at the Rajgir campus. The undergraduate courses under NEP-2020 at Nalanda University are offered at Tribhuvan College of Environment and Development Sciences (TEDS), located in the historical town of Neemrana in Alwar district, Rajasthan. Nalanda University is known for its rich history, and getting the opportunity to study at such a location encourages students to learn more about our culture. The undergraduate students are missing such a wonderful opportunity, and arrangements must be made by the university to allow students to enjoy their classes in the historically rich land of Nalanda.

Academic Composition

Nalanda University's academia is a mix of classroom learning, assignments, and field projects. 

Batch Size

According to the Nalanda University Annual Report 2019-20, there were a total of 20 students in batch 2018-19, and in the 2019-20 batch, the total student count was 36. The total student count was 579 as of 2020.

Our Take: 

It is evident from the increasing student population that the young generation is recognising the importance of Nalanda University. Furthermore, the university has entered into several MOUs that have significantly contributed to enhancing its visibility and outreach.

Nalanda University has signed MOU's with:

• Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Singapore)
• Peking University (China)
• Bihar Heritage Development Society (India)
• Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt (Germany)
• Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA, India)
• Deakin University, Australia
• Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia
• Kanazawa University, Japan
• The Academy of Korean Studies (South Korea)
• CSIR – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (India)
• Otani University, Kyoto (Japan)
• Lumbini University (Nepal)
• Bronx Community College, City University of New York (USA)
• Dongguk University, South Korea

Fees

The fees charged for Nalanda University courses are:

Our Take:

Fee-wise, the total fee for the MBA programme is reasonable at Rs 2,22,000 for two years, according to student feedback. Similarly, the total fee for other postgraduate programmes is at a reasonable cost of Rs 1,34,000. So, this reasonable course fee at the university makes it quite accessible to a larger student demographic. 

Nalanda University Infrastructure

Library

The Nalanda University Library has embraced automation through the integration of KOHA library management software and has also adopted open-source digital library software known as DSpace according to the official website. Additionally, it holds memberships with various organizations including the Association of Indian Universities, DELNET, National Digital Library of India, ESS, and INFLIBNET.

Online resources available at Nalanda University Library:

• Brill’s e-journals
• Economic and Political Weekly
• International Energy Agency
• JSTOR
• OPU e-journals
• South Asian History and Culture
• SCOPUS

Hostel

Nalanda University has a total of five hostels, known as residence halls. They are:

• Tathagata Residence Hall for Women
• Ajatshatru Residence Hall 
• Maitreya (Tanman) Residence Hall 
• Ananda Residence Hall 
• Nagarjuna Residence Hall

Facilities in each hall include indoor and outdoor games, a common hall, a computer lab, Wi-Fi, and a students’ pantry among numerous others. Hostel fees charged to the students are:

Our Take:

Students have voiced that rooms are assigned on a first-come-first-serve-basis. However, students can also choose their own room by filling out the residence hall form after the admission letter is offered.

Commute

Students are provided with on-campus transport facilities, from residence houses to academic blocks and the library. Apart from that, students can avail shuttle service on:

• 1st Saturday to Patna
• 3rd Saturday to Gaya
• Other Weekends to Bihar Sharif

Cafeteria

Nalanda University has an on-campus cafeteria operating on weekdays between 9 A.M - 7 P.M, a place for students to grab a quick tidbit in-between classes. 

Labs

Currently, the university has three well-equipped laboratories: Computer, Chemical, and Language. The university claims that the lab has access to online databases for students' academic research, assignments, and project completion. 

Medical Facilities

Nalanda University mentions that the university created a five-bed Primary Health Care Center on the campus, catering to the healthcare requirements of the Nalanda community. The Health Care Center is accessible 24/7 to students, faculty, and staff, including X-Ray, Pathology Laboratory, Pharmacy, and Ambulance services.

Mini Auditorium

According to the official website, the university has a mini auditorium with a 100-seat capacity. Equipped with audio-visual features, the auditorium hosts seminars, conferences, and lectures.

Sports

Nalanda University has provided students with sports facilities like:

• Indoor Games- Table Tennis
• Outdoor Games- Volleyball and Badminton Courts

Our Take:

Currently, the sports facilities are only accessible to residence hall students. The university claims that a major sports complex housing all the sports with state-of-the-art facilities is under construction. 

Clubs 

• Sports Club
• Cultural and Arts Society
• Literary Society
• Environment Club
• Social Club
• Movie Club

Nalanda University Diversity and Demographics

A total of 579 students are enrolled in the university as per the Nalanda University Annual Report 2020. International students hail from countries like Vietnam, Bhutan,  Cambodia,  Myanmar,  Bangladesh,  Thailand, USA, Canada,  France,  Sri Lanka, Ghana and Laos. 

Cited below is the region-wise distribution of international students as per the report:

Gender-wise, the female-to-male ratio for international students batch 2019-21 was 39:61 as per the Nalanda University Annual Report 2019-20. The department-wise gender representation of international students was:

Our Take

According to the university's annual report, the highest number of international students at Nalanda University is from Vietnam at 41%, followed by Bhutan at 23%. School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, and Comparative Religions has received the highest number of international students at 68%, followed by the School of Ecology and Environment Studies and the School of Historical Studies at 23% and 9%, respectively. In terms of gender participation, the numbers are considerable, with 38% female in Buddhist Studies and an all-girls situation in Historical Studies.

Nalanda University Faculty and Administration/Management

Nalanda University currently holds 28 faculty members, along with 9 international visiting faculty and 12 visiting faculty from India.  Cited below is the school-wise faculty list of Nalanda University: 

Our Take:

Administration-wise, students have asserted that the functioning of the non-academic staff is efficient. The university is in a reviving phase and the official website mentions incorporating multiple segments for the students like Centre for Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies and BIMSTEC-Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies among several others. 

Being a part of the ASEAN-India Network of Universities,  the university has focused diligently on its faculty exchange programme,  thus, allowing students to cultivate knowledge from across the globe.

Students must maintain at least 75% attendance. The website also mentions that students who have failed to maintain the attendance quota will face any of the following consequences: 

• debarred from appearing in the term-end examination 
• repeat the course
• drop a grade

It indicates the university's commitment to upholding campus decorum and ensuring students acquire knowledge in the proper manner.

Nalanda University Location

Nestled in Rajgir, Nalanda District in Bihar, the university is well-connected by bus, train and flight. Gaya Airport is the closest airport with a distance of 70 km from Rajgir. Taxis, buses, tongas and e-rickshaws are the most used local transportation by the students.

According to the official website, the university has an outreach office in Flat No – 201 & 208 Ashoka Estates, 24 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi.

Our Take

Nalanda University's location is favourable both in terms of conveyance and temperature, with a tropical monsoon climate. The establishment of the outreach office has allowed students and scholars easy access to get their academic work done without much hassle. 

Nalanda University Expectation vs Reality - CollegeDekho Verdict

After a gap of nearly 800 years, the Nalanda University campus is perceived to be the world’s largest Net Zero Environmental Impact Campus. Built on a sprawling 455-acre land, Nalanda University is currently in its phase. The infrastructure provided is well-accepted by national and international students, alike. 

However, students are looking forward to more developments that will help the students acquire their education in a much better way. Beginning with academics, students have shared that the undergraduate programmes at the university are currently offered in TEDS, Rajasthan. Students have expressed their interest in pursuing their studies at the UNESCO Heritage Site, Rajgir. Sports facilities are currently available for the hostellers. The university has stated that a sports complex is currently under construction and students seem to be eagerly waiting for the same. 

In a nutshell, it's evident that students hold the university in high regard, deeply appreciating its rich history and looking forward to the exciting journey that lies ahead for Nalanda University!

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